Travels

Sorry folks, I've been too busy to sit down and catch up with life in Ireland!! I've been on a photo shoot, celebrated St. Paddy's Day, filled out my census form, gone to NI for 3 days of exploring, my son, his wife and her sister are here, I've taken 4 sessions on Photoshop with one more tonight, I've purchased new tires for my little roller skate, etc. etc........ Yes, Aran/Stacy and Linda arrived on St. Paddy's Day. When they got to Cootehall, we took off for a long walk to Lough Key, through the bog, and back. Then up to Clarendenn lock to watch a boat go through. They said they needed to get the wiggles out. We then had a great dinner of corned beef and cabbage..the corned beef is amazing here...not so salty. I put in potatoes, carrots, onions and of course cabbage...it was very good. The next day Stacy and Linda set off for Powerscourt and Glendalough. Aran and I stayed at home and explored my area. Into Carrick to take the next door neighbor to the PO (her car was in the repair shop), then to Boyle to the library and bank then walked to my favorite little sandwich shop over the river Boyle, then home. It was good for him to have a down day. The following day we all piled into my little car and headed north....through Enisskilen and on toward the NE coast to the 9 Glens of Antrim. We walked along the beach in Glenarm then found a B&B that would take Flan. Went back into Cranlough for dinner. All day long I'd refrained from Rugby talk, but it was killing me. I knew that England was in Dublin playing the last game of the Six Nations. England was undefeated but Ireland is always very determined when it comes to England. I hate to admit it but we'd already lost to France and Wales so I didn't have high hopes. When we got to the pub for dinner I ducked into the bar and asked "who won"...now you have to remember, we were in Northern Ireland so I wasn't sure who folks would be rooting for... well, it's Ireland even there.... WE BEAT ENGLAND 24 - 8.... I was so excited!! Anyway...it was dinner of fish and chips and then back to our B&B and to bed. Up early the next day to explore the waterfalls at Glenriff, then continue up the coast. A beautiful day for traveling. Few cars on the road, mixed weather, but nice. We stopped at Carrick-on-Rede to see the rope bridge that crosses from the mainland to an island. I wasn't sure if I'd get the guts to cross, but I did!! We couldn't take Flan across so I just tied her to a fence post and she entertained those waiting to cross. She is ALWAYS a hit. She just loves people so seems to smile for them and wiggle around their feet. After our adventures at the bridge, we piled back into the car and headed to the Giant's Causeway. It was an amazing evening, just a beautiful place. A long walk down to the sea, but worth the effort. Then it was finding a B&B. The first one in Bushmills didn't take pups but the 2nd hotel did...as long as she was small...as she was...and very well behaved, which she was...she was pooped...she must have walked 10 miles with us throughout the day.... we had dinner in the hotel and settled in for the night. Then it was up and off again to tour Bushmills distillery, and on along the northern coast to DunLuce castle..an amazing spot and remains of the McDonell clan's holdings in the north. Then on to the Downhill House and Missenden Temple. Another beautiful heritage site above the Atlantic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mussenden_Temple. Then it was straight to Derry and south to Cootehall. A very long day and Betty-in-the Box and I are no longer friends...and we may never be again. She kept taking us on the most stupid roads... I wanted to just get to the N15 and head south through Sligo and home. I know this area, but with the continual criss/crossing from NI into the Republic she just kept pushing us back to NI. We ended up on very small, rural roads and it took forever. At one point, I was tempted to open the window and toss her...

Photos: A mix of everything.